GALLERY_1970sOffense

NFL’s ALL-DECADE TEAM OF THE 1970s - OFFENSE. As a rookie Lynn Swann caught the game-winning touchdown in the 1974 AFC Championship Game to put the Steelers in their first Super Bowl. Swann's graceful style and outstanding leaping ability provided for many great highlight reel moments in the ‘70s.

Statistics are not usually something used to rate offensive linemen. But, Art Shell’s legendary performance in Super Bowl XI can be measured by the fact that he held the Vikings Jim Marshall to no tackles and zero assists in the Raiders 32-14 win.

Rule changes in 1978 that prohibited defensive backs from the bump-and-run after five yards off the line of scrimmage played right into Terry Bradshaw’s hands. He recorded his best year to date that included a career-high 28 touchdowns and was named NFL MVP that season.

Tight end Dave Casper had two particular famous plays in the 1970s that earned their own nickname. He’ll forever be connected with the “Ghost to the Post” and the “Holy Roller.”

Bears running back Walter Payton’s finest season came in 1977. He rushed for 1,852 yards in a 14-game schedule which averaged to an astonishing 132 yards per game.